Her son, Rylan Ott, who was three weeks shy of his second birthday, was found unresponsive in a pond off Pond Branch Road near Vass on Thursday and was pronounced dead at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

The pond where Ott’s body was found was almost half a mile from his home.

Neighbors said that the boy was often outside alone and sometimes wandered off to neighbor’s yards.

Bryant has been on probation since February after pleading guilty to three misdemeanor counts of child abuse. Warrants state that, in October, she "consumed alcohol excessively" and fought with firearms in the presence of three children.

She also previously pleaded guilty to assaulting a government official and resisting a public officer.

Bryant was being held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $200,000 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 31.

Maureen MercerApr 21, 2016

Hope she looses her other kids and no longer procreates. May the kids find a happy, healthy home. Where was the kids father?

Kim AndersonApr 20, 2016

Actually she was still under DSS supervision. This means they were supposed to conduct weekly or monthly home visits. They could be scheduled or unscheduled. Stepping in early-they were already involved. Its not about what did she learn from felony charges. Its what has DSS learned when they continue to not keep kids safe. They should have learned that a child will die when they don't do their job. DSS is good for removing kids from good homes, but leaves a child in a home which later dies from neglect and or abuse. Way to go CPS! This what our tax dollars are funding. Corrupt child welfare system in NC.

Marcia MaloneyApr 20, 2016

Why was this child with an irresponsible so called mother? The article reads "often left alone outside " and she had been charged with child abuse. I think Social services should have stepped in earlier and placed this child with a family who is mature and responsible

Janet GhumriApr 20, 2016

Where were the other kids when this happened? Depending on how old they are, they can provide a lot of inside information on what goes on behind closed doors. Obviously she didn't learn anything after being charged in February. She shouldn't ever get custody of those kids again.